In order to be a good candidate for becoming a surrogate mother, you should be able to successfully meet several requirements involving physical fitness, mental capability, and emotional stability. The task of carrying someone else’s child in your womb is both a special and daunting task that is not for the faint of heart.
There are very real risks involved, not only for the surrogate but for the couple as well. This is why strict standards and requirements are put in place, in order to ensure that the best interest of all parties involved—especially the child’s—are prioritized.
There are very real risks involved, not only for the surrogate but for the couple as well. This is why strict standards and requirements are put in place, in order to ensure that the best interest of all parties involved—especially the child’s—are prioritized.
Divulging Personal Information
On the part of the surrogate, in order to guarantee that they are fit for the position, they should be forthcoming about their personal history to the agency handling their “professional career”. History of having carried a pregnancy to its full term without complications, for example, is going to be crucial information. Their psychological health and emotional state are also going to be critical factors.
A background check on their family and home environment would also have to yield satisfactory results. This is important because where you stay can also possibly impact the pregnancy. Most of all, sexual health is going to matter, too, because issues like STDs are very serious concerns that will certainly affect the child, if ever.
Confidentiality
These private data you divulge upon application on how to become a surrogate mother should only be accessible to the couple you will be helping out, the organization that will match you with the potential couple, as well as the physician who will be taking care of you throughout the process.
On the legal side, the lawyer should also be privy to the surrogate’s information, so that they can add into the contract any relevant information that could work as a stipulation.
Sources:
Surrogate Mothers. FindLaw. How to Become a Surrogate Mother. WikiHow.
I'd have to disagree with you on the point that there are strict standards put in place for the best interests of the child. Typically, the interests of the intended parents are prioritized, and the standards in the United States are almost nonexistent save the use of a contract and agreement of the IVF clinic. Post-birth proceedings for adoption aside anyone can put any language into a surrogacy contract, sidestep a mental health consultation, inadequately counsel both parties regarding the contract, commit insurance fraud, and more. Legally there are no standards and the laws regarding surrogacy vary from state to state. This is something that needs to be changed. I'd love to chat with you more about all of this! Email me!
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